More than 100 people – from toddlers through to senior citizens – joined the BAPS Annual 10K Challenge in Manchester on Sunday 15 May 2016.

The charity Challenge organised by BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) brought together more than 3,000 enthusiastic participants from towns and cities across the UK for a fun and healthy way to raise money for various worthy causes and local charities.

The funds from this year’s event will go towards BAPS’s multifarious educational, community and spiritual activities serving children, youths, families and the elderly.

Previous national partners, under the auspices of BAPS and BAPS Charities, have included the British Heart Foundation, Diabetes UK, Breast Cancer Care, Age UK, Barnardo’s, KIDS, The Anthony Nolan Trust, and Macmillan Cancer Support. Locally, the Challenge has helped Tameside4Good, Willow Wood Hospice and Our Kids Eyes.

An added feature of this year’s event was an informative and practical health screening workshop. Staffed by volunteers from the medical profession, about 65 people took advantage of the blood pressure screening, lung capacity measurement using peak flow metres, and blood glucose testing.

Dipak Patel, one of the volunteers, commented, “These type of workshops are really good at raising awareness and spotting any problems. Running it alongside the 10K Challenge means more people can take advantage of the screenings.”

The event kicked off shortly after 11.30am from BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir on Russell Street.

After the opening ceremony, walkers, joggers and runners moved along the route walking up Lees Road, through Hartshead Estate, and back to the Mandir via Ladbrooke Road.

Brijesh Trivedi, a participant, shared: “The day was a great family event. My wife and my young daughter could take part and it is so good to know that our small efforts will help others in so many ways.”

One of the lead volunteers for the event, Roshni Vadera, added, “It’s humbling to see so many people give up their Sunday for this worthy cause. We are really grateful for all the generous support and goodwill we receive to make this a special event every year.”